Indulge in the delightful taste of homemade Apple Brioche made with a sourdough starter. This recipe combines the fluffy texture of brioche with the sweet and tangy flavor of tart apples, resulting in a perfect treat for breakfast or dessert. With its warm, buttery aroma and a hint of cinnamon, this Apple Brioche is sure to impress family and friends!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups warm milk (480 ml),
- 1.5 oz fresh yeast (42 g),
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (100 g),
- 7 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (960 g),
- 3 egg yolks,
- 1/2 cup melted butter (115 g),
- Zest of 1/2 lemon,
- 1 packet vanilla sugar (8 g),
- 1/2 teaspoon salt,
- 2.2 lbs tart apples (1 kg),
- 2-3 tablespoons granulated sugar (25-38 g),
- 1 packet vanilla sugar (8 g),
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon,
- Vegetable oil for brushing,
- Butter and flour for greasing the pan,
- Powdered sugar for dusting.
Directions:
Start by preparing the apple filling. Peel, core, and coarsely grate the tart apples. In a skillet, sauté the grated apples with granulated sugar, vanilla sugar, and ground cinnamon. Cook until the apples soften, then drain any excess juice.
Next, prepare the sourdough starter. Crumble the fresh yeast into a small bowl, add a tablespoon of granulated sugar, and pour in a bit of the warm milk. Mix well and let it sit for about 10 minutes until it foams.
In a large mixing bowl, sift the all-purpose flour. Add the remaining granulated sugar, vanilla sugar, salt, and lemon zest. Make a well in the center, and pour in the yeast mixture, egg yolks, remaining warm milk, and melted butter. Knead the dough until it is smooth and elastic.
Cover the dough and let it rise in a warm place until it doubles in size, which should take about an hour. Once risen, turn out the dough onto a floured surface and roll it out to about 1/4 inch thickness. Cut the dough into squares.
Place about a teaspoon of the apple filling in the center of each square. Fold the corners of the squares toward the center to form buns and place them in a greased baking pan. Let the buns rise again until they puff up, which should take around 30 minutes.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Bake the buns for 30-40 minutes or until they are golden brown and cooked through. Allow them to cool slightly before dusting with powdered sugar.
How to Serve Apple Brioche with Sourdough Starter
Serve your warm Apple Brioche fresh out of the oven, dusted with powdered sugar. They pair wonderfully with a dollop of whipped cream, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce for extra sweetness. Enjoy this delightful pastry at breakfast, brunch, or as a comforting dessert any time of the day!